SSA Group, a best-in-class provider of integrated guest services, in partnership with Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, recently received Green Restaurant awards for two cafes at Cincinnati Zoo: Base Camp Café and Outpost Café. SSA at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden now has two 4-star and one 3-star certified restaurants from the Green Restaurant Association.
The Green Restaurant Association, a nonprofit organisation founded in 1990, pioneered the Green Restaurant movement by encouraging restaurants to green their operations using transparent, science-based certification standards. The GRA’s turnkey certification system enables thousands of restaurants to achieve environmental sustainability in Energy, Water, Waste, Food, Chemicals, Disposables, and Building.
Greenest zoo restaurant
The zoo’s Base Camp Café, a 4-Star Certified Green Restaurant, has implemented 89 environmental steps to earn 364.20 GreenPoints. This Certified Green Restaurant is significantly reducing its energy usage with window film that blocks solar heat, duct sealing, low-flow restroom hand sinks, over 94% LED lighting, Energy Star appliances, and more.
Most Green Points in the water category
Meanwhile, the 4-star Certified Green Restaurant Outpost Café received the most GreenPoints in the Water Category, with 44.75 GreenPoints. The restaurant has an underground water harvesting system to store rainwater, uses high-efficiency pre-rinse spray valves, low-flow kitchen and restroom hand sinks, Energy Star-qualified appliances, low-water landscaping, and more.
SSA Group also recently announced a new partnership with Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Florida. The Group is now operating the dining and retail offerings at the attraction, where it is offering an enhanced level of service and new product lines. Thanks to new site menus, visitors can get hand-breaded chicken tenders, fresh salads, and vegan options. Children’s meals now emphasise healthy eating and include fresh fruit. Cooperation with Premier Produce, a local supplier, guarantees the Zoo’s F&B shops use fresh food. The attraction’s cafés now offer self-ordering kiosks which simplifies checkout.
